© 12 February 2016 Revive Israel Ministries

The Real Reason for Anti-Semitism

By Paul Wilbur

Next month (March 23-24) is the celebration of Purim.  Most people do not notice that the book of Esther takes place at the same time as the prophetic books of Zechariah and Haggai. What is the significance of this timing?

In the books of Zechariah and Haggai, we find a small, Jewish remnant having returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the altar, the Temple and the city.  In the book of Esther, we find a worldwide wave of anti-Semitism coming out of Persia (ancient Iran).  There is a connection between the two.

The restoration of Jerusalem represents the advancement of the kingdom of God.  The wave of anti-Semitism is an evil movement which represents a spiritual attack on that kingdom restoration.  The restoration of a faithful remnant in Jerusalem fuels the hatred against the Jewish people.  The destruction of the kingdom remnant in Jerusalem is the goal of international anti-Semitism and genocide. 

We see a similar pattern today, which has a similar prophetic significance.  The nation of Israel has been restored, even with Jerusalem as its capital. The Messianic remnant of faith within Israel is being restored at the same time.  There is a worldwide movement of propaganda and terror whose central aim is to discredit Jewish claims to Jerusalem and to destroy Israel.

Both in the time of Zechariah and today, the logic of this spiritual warfare has to do with stopping of the return of Messiah.  The first restoration of Israel led to the first coming of Yeshua.  The second restoration will lead to the second coming of Yeshua.

Yeshua indicated in Matthew 23:39 that His return will be at the response to the nation of Israel—especially Jerusalem-calling for His return with the cry of "Blessed be He who comes in the name of YHVH."  The nation of Israel is in place; a Messianic Jewish remnant in Israel and Jerusalem is growing little by little.  The devil knows his time is short and therefore is hysterical, panicking and angry (Revelation 12:12). Therefore, such demonic hatred, lies and murder are being released against the plan of God.  This is the hidden spiritual cause of much of the evil happening in world politics today.

By Elhanan ben-Avraham

One aspect of prophecy is the divine warning of the consequences of unlawful, ungodly the judgment that will come to pass if that behavior continues unchanged.  Within that God sends prophets to warn us because His heart’s desire is that we repent and change our behavior in order that we not be judged harshly.  His mercy triumphs over His judgment. (James 2:13)  

 “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11; 18:23; 18:32). And to complement that revelation, Yeshua said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).  God takes pleasure in sharing the goodness of His kingdom with His obedient children, and takes no pleasure in punishing the wicked and disobedient.

In the Bible, we see occasions when God in effect changes His mind as a result of our sincere intercession, or repentance.  A classic example is the commission of Jonah to the Ninevites to declare the destruction of that great city in a matter of three days.  But the open repentance of the king and the people of Nineveh turned the hand of events entirely (even to the prophet’s dismay). 

We see also the case where the Lord declared to Moses that He would surely wipe Israel off the map for their transgressions, but the intercession of Moses for the people of Israel stayed the wrath and changed the mind of God and the history of the world (Exodus 32:10-14,32).  This means that part of the unfolding of prophecy is in our hands.  God’s judgment is not a train fixed on iron tracks; His heart hears our prayers and intercessions, and would that all men would turn and be saved (1 Tim 2:4).

For this week's English video teaching, click HERE!